As you'd expect, Schoenrock targets the same subtle bottom structures on river ledges when he fishes Warrior, but he also includes creek mouths as part of his primary pattern. Despite fishing pressure from other anglers, Schoenrock fishes creek mouths anyway, feeling that such areas are enormously productive.

As he does on humps in the river, Schoenrock first teases aggressive, early-morning bass with a topwater lure and then switches to a crankbait. He uses the same lures as before.

"Position your boat in the river," he said, "and make long casts toward the creek mouth. Try to find where the fish are holding. Sometimes, bass move shallow early and then move deeper as the sun rises. However, the best place to find fish in July is the point created where the creek cuts into the river channel."

Schoenrock recommended maneuvering your boat so that the crankbait works the submerged point from every angle. "The only way to determine if a creek mouth holds bass is to fish it," he asserted. "Cover a lot of water. In July, fish congregate in these areas."

Those fishing the lower lake should note that the Corps offers complete recreational facilities at Jennings Ferry, which is on the east side of the lake off County Road 14. Further upstream, but still on the lower third, is the Old Lock 8 ramp on CR 36.

Two ramps are available on the upper lake: Fosters Bridge, about eight miles southwest of Tuscaloosa, and Moundville Access, off State Route 69.

OFFEEVILLE LAKE
Ninety-seven miles downriver from Demopolis on the Tombigbee, this 8,800-acre run-of-the-river lake near the community of Coffeeville boasts 300 miles of shoreline. All of Coffeeville's backwater is limited to the lower section of the lake in Clarke County, and most is in the Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge.

Fortunately, both bass and anglers thrive in the lake's riverine environment. Silas' Anthony Skinner, who has fished Coffeeville for 19 years, spends about three days a week on the lake. In this time, he has perfected a productive summer pattern for river-run largemouth bass.